launch 1 of 2

verb

ˈlȯnch How to pronounce launch (audio)
Definition of launchnext
1
as in to establish
to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of after retiring, he launched a small company devoted to making medical devices

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2
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) she launched a career in journalism after quitting acting school

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3
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm infantrymen launching grenades at the nest of machine gunners

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launch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in takeoff
a rising from a surface at the start of a flight (as of a rocket) the reporters held their collective breath as they silently watched the space shuttle's launch

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2
as in start
the point at which something begins we are at the launch of a new age of space exploration

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of launch
Verb
Amazon, which is preparing to launch its own Leo satellite internet service, has also repeatedly flagged the coordination issues to the FCC. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026 On the last day of February, the US and Israel launched a war on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and attacking targets across the country. — Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
Netflix, which provides coverage of select NASA missions, is not advertising the launch on its platform. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Space Launch Delta 45’s weather squadron forecasts only a 60% chance for good launch conditions Sunday, which would improve to 70% if delayed until Monday. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for launch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launch
  1. establish
  2. begin
  3. throw
  4. takeoff
  5. start
  6. initiate
  7. commence
  8. hurl
Verb
  • Its immediate goal is to establish pilot-scale production while continuing to develop partnerships across the fusion and advanced nuclear industries.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Once an account is established, parents, guardians, grandparents and others can also contribute up to $5,000 per year until the year before the beneficiary turns 18.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of establish
Verb
  • The administration did cripple Iran's nuclear program in 2025 with bombing strikes on various facilities, but since this war began, there's been no effective action taken against its nuclear program.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Since Tiffany’s attacks began, Crowley has moved in Hong’s general direction, emphasizing his requirements—using exclusively renewable energy to power new data centers, building them with union labor—for developers to receive the tax breaks.
    — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of begin
Verb
  • Pintaro throws a cutter that Houston’s coaching staff thought would match up well with Wade’s swing.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fletcher and Takeshita threw hands in the middle of the ring to the delight of Wembley Stadium.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of throw
Noun
  • Alexandria Sheriff's Office via AP Flight 103 was 31,000 feet over Lockerbie when a bomb in the plane's forward cargo area exploded 38 minutes after takeoff from London Heathrow Airport.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Archer plans to use its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for the service.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of takeoff
Noun
  • To stay in the chase, the Twins desperately need collective performances such as Sunday’s when Zebby Matthews provided a dominant start and the lineup pieced together enough offense to avoid a sweep at the hands of Chicago.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, when Malik Nabers’ first-round selection changed the depth chart, Slayton memorably caught only 10 total passes for 122 yards in the Giants’ first four games during a 1-3 start.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of start
Verb
  • Early in this year’s war, the United States and Israel considered launching ground operations to extract nuclear material but never initiated them, judging them to be highly risky and unlikely to affect the regime’s decision-making.
    — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Oppenheimer initiates Factorial as outperform Oppenheimer says the battery manufacturer has plenty more room to run.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of initiate
Verb
  • The game commenced with four unanswered scores from Jenks and sloppy play from Southlake Carroll that included a handful of early penalties, messy substitutions and a lack of rhythm.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of commence
Verb
  • Loaded trucks plodded through the crowd with people in their cargo beds throwing tomatoes at the revelers — who, in turn, hurled them at one another.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When a massive riot erupted at Soledad on Cinco de Mayo in 1968, Trejo hurled a rock that smashed a prison guard in the head.
    — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurl

Browse Nearby Words

laughters
launch
launched
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Cite this Entry

“Launch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launch. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on launch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about launch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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